cultivating and enjoying the simple pleasures of faith, family and home

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Old-Fashioned Fourth!

We had a great 4th of July! My Mom and I had attended this Old Fashioned celebration several times before, but this was a first for the little ladies!

Rock Ledge Ranch opens their homestead for this event. They have a garden, animals, stilts, croquet, homemade icecream, tours of the homes, demonstrations and more. Our stamina was limited by nap times, but we did get to do some fun things. In the upstairs of the barn, they have lots of fun games for little ones (not quite as little as ours) to play!

Emily and Rachel both enjoyed the duck pond and the prizes:

They also had balloon darts, clothespin drop, toss the beanbag into the milk can, etc...

We saw sheep, pigs, horses and chickens! Then, we found a place to sit and eat our "traditional" 4th of July picnic.

While we were eating, a local orchestra played patriotic music. Rachel has just learned to clap and wanted to join in the fun:

That was followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Everyone was in period costumes - it was great! Hmmm, wouldn't it be fun to plan something like this at my house for my friends next year?

Our traditional picnic always includes:

Homemade Chicken Salad served on Oatmeal MuffinsChips (this time including chip dip!)FruitDessert (this time - Brownies, made by my friend Susan!)Drinks

I love homemade chicken salad and I try to make it for special occasions. It's just so yummy! Love the pics and I agree that you and your mom look SO much alike! The picnic and this place sounds really fun! Glad you enjoyed yourself!

Looks like so much fun! I missed celebrating the 4th. I had a special July 4th onsie for my son to show off here in Europe. But he went doo doo in it before we went out the door. So much for showing American pride;(